56 Bulletin of the 



NOTES FROM THE FIELD AND MUSEUM. 

 KING RAIL AT ST. CLAIR COUNTY IN WINTER. 



Early in December, 1902, I received, for mounting, a fine adult male King 

 Rail {luillus elegans) from John W. Benline, of Port Huron, Mich. The 

 bird was in perfect condition, but upon close examination the tarsus of one 

 leg proved to have been broken, but it had successfully healed up. Becoming 

 interested in this specimen I wrote regarding the capture to Mr. Benline, 

 who replied that he caught the Rail November 27th, six miles west of Port 

 Huron in low swampy ground, but on December 6th the bird escaped from 

 him and he had to shoot to get it again. 



Mr. Benline further says that on December 13th he saw more King Rail 

 tracks on snow covered ice one-half mile north of where this one was caught. 



Detroit, Midi. Louis J. Eppinger. 



SMALL-BILLED WATER-THRUSH IN WAYNE COUNTY. 



It was with much pleasure I located on May 14th, 1898, in the wood known 

 as the Chestnut Ridge, Wayne County, Mich., a nest, containing five eggs, of 

 the Small-billed Water-thrush (Sciunts noveboracemsxs) . The nest was close 

 to and partly under the large trunk of a fallen tree, on slightly elevated 

 ground, the situation apparently being well selected to avoid any dampness 

 or moisture to the nest from the water which covered the ground in its lowest 

 places to within a short distance of the bird's nesting site. The condition of 

 the eggs considerably surprised me — the date being early — as they were all 

 heavily incubated and it was only with much difficulty and care they were 

 saved. Their ground is creamy white, blotched and spotted at larger ends 

 with dark brown graduating into light lilac tints. The nest is made entirely 

 of fine and coarse grasses, the former as the lining; oak leaves serving as a 

 foundation. The bird has the usual typical markings, throat and under parts 

 white with pronounced sulphur tint, streaked with dark greenish brown, same 

 shade being the general coloration of the back and wings. It measures, 

 over all, six inches. Length of bill from tip to base one-half inch. Report 

 had reached me that the Water-thrush had been seen in the Chestnut Ridge 

 but was not certain that the identity of the bird by my informant was assured. 

 I therefore decided to cover the question of identification thoroughly by 

 securing the bird, which proved to be the female. The bird left its nest ex- 

 hibiting the usual symptoms of alarm, with drooping and fluttering wings, 

 soon returned, and while leaving the nest a second time was taken. I have, 

 since the date of finding this nest, searched diligently for the bird, not only 

 in the Chestnut Ridge, but other suitable places as well, and have failed utterly 

 to again see one. My conclusion is that the bird is a somewhat rare one in 

 this vicinity, and therefore but seldom met with. 



Detroit, Mich. Edwin G. Mummery. 



A TWICE USED NEST. 



This spring (1903) a pair of Robins took up their abode on a board 

 under the eaves of our barn at Draton Planes. As circumstances proved most 

 favorable the brood hatched and were soon able to fly. I was greatly sur- 



